2N3904TA Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 2N3904TA is an NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT) manufactured by onsemi, designed for general-purpose switching and amplification applications. This device features a 40 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage, 200 mA maximum collector current, and 625 mW power dissipation capability in a through-hole TO-92-3 package. The 2N3904TA maintains active product status with ROHS3 compliance and is widely used in analog and digital circuit designs. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified based on matching electrical specifications and mechanical compatibility within the 2N3904 base product family.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Transistor Type	NPN	—
Current - Collector (Ic) Max	200	mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	40	V
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	—
DC Current Gain (hFE) Min @ Ic, Vce	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	—
Power - Max	625	mW
Frequency - Transition	300	MHz
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150	°C (TJ)
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 2N3904TA is determined by electrical and mechanical parameter equivalence. The critical parameters governing substitution are:

Transistor Type: NPN configuration
Current Rating: 200 mA maximum collector current
Voltage Rating: 40 V collector-emitter breakdown voltage
Power Dissipation: 625 mW maximum
DC Current Gain: Minimum 100 at specified conditions
Package Type: TO-92-3 through-hole configuration
Operating Temperature: -55°C to 150°C junction temperature range
Product Status: Active or equivalent active status
Compliance: ROHS3 compliance

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category 1: Direct onsemi Equivalents — Parts 2N3904TAR, 2N3904TF, and 2N3904TFR are onsemi-manufactured variants with identical electrical specifications and TO-92-3 packaging. These parts differ only in packaging format (Cut Tape variants) and inventory levels.

Category 2: Alternative Manufacturer — Part 2N3904-AP is manufactured by Micro Commercial Co and carries obsolete product status. While electrical specifications remain compatible, this part exhibits a higher Vce saturation value (400 mV versus 300 mV) and lower transition frequency (250 MHz versus 300 MHz), making it suitable only for applications where these parameter variations are acceptable.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	2N3904TA	2N3904TAR	2N3904TF	2N3904TFR	2N3904-AP
Manufacturer	onsemi	onsemi	onsemi	onsemi	Micro Commercial Co
Transistor Type	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN	NPN
Current - Collector (Ic) Max	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA	200 mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V	40 V
Vce Saturation (Max) @ Ib, Ic	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	300 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA	400 mV @ 5 mA, 50 mA
DC Current Gain (hFE) Min @ Ic, Vce	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V	100 @ 10 mA, 1 V
Power - Max	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW	625 mW
Frequency - Transition	300 MHz	300 MHz	300 MHz	300 MHz	250 MHz
Operating Temperature Range	-55 to 150°C (TJ)	-55 to 150°C (TJ)	-55 to 150°C (TJ)	-55 to 150°C (TJ)	-55 to 150°C (TJ)
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Package / Case	TO-92-3	TO-92-3	TO-92-3	TO-92-3	TO-92
Product Status	Active	Active	Active	Active	Obsolete
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (onsemi Variants)

Parts 2N3904TAR, 2N3904TF, and 2N3904TFR are direct substitutes for the 2N3904TA. All three maintain active product status, identical electrical specifications, and ROHS3 compliance. Selection among these three onsemi variants is determined by packaging format availability and inventory requirements rather than electrical performance. These parts are suitable for direct replacement in all applications where the 2N3904TA is specified.

Secondary Substitute (Micro Commercial Co)

The 2N3904-AP is classified as an alternative substitute due to its obsolete product status. While this part meets the core electrical requirements (200 mA collector current, 40 V breakdown voltage, 625 mW power rating), it exhibits parameter deviations: Vce saturation of 400 mV (versus 300 mV) and transition frequency of 250 MHz (versus 300 MHz). The obsolete status indicates discontinued manufacturing and limited availability. Use of this part is restricted to applications where the specified parameter variations are functionally acceptable and where supply chain continuity is not a concern.

Compliance Considerations

All substitute parts maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, consistent with the primary 2N3904TA device. No additional regulatory or environmental qualification is required for substitution within this part family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can 2N3904TAR, 2N3904TF, and 2N3904TFR be used interchangeably with 2N3904TA?

A: Yes. These three onsemi parts are electrically and mechanically equivalent to the 2N3904TA. All share identical collector current (200 mA), breakdown voltage (40 V), saturation voltage (300 mV), current gain (100 minimum), power rating (625 mW), transition frequency (300 MHz), and TO-92-3 package configuration. Differences exist only in packaging format designation and inventory levels.

Q: What are the differences between 2N3904TA and 2N3904-AP?

A: The 2N3904-AP differs in three aspects: (1) manufacturer is Micro Commercial Co rather than onsemi, (2) product status is obsolete rather than active, (3) electrical specifications vary with Vce saturation of 400 mV (versus 300 mV) and transition frequency of 250 MHz (versus 300 MHz). The 2N3904-AP is suitable only for applications where these parameter variations are acceptable.

Q: Are all substitute parts in the same TO-92-3 package?

A: Four of the five parts (2N3904TA, 2N3904TAR, 2N3904TF, 2N3904TFR) use the TO-92-3 package. The 2N3904-AP uses the TO-92 package variant. Both package types are through-hole configurations with compatible lead geometry for standard PCB footprints, though minor dimensional variations exist between TO-92 and TO-92-3 specifications.

Q: Should I use 2N3904-AP as a substitute?

A: The 2N3904-AP is a functional substitute only when application requirements accommodate its parameter deviations (higher saturation voltage and lower transition frequency). The obsolete product status indicates manufacturing discontinuation and potential supply constraints. onsemi variants (2N3904TAR, 2N3904TF, 2N3904TFR) are preferred for new designs and ongoing production due to active status and superior availability.

Q: What parameters must remain constant for substitution?

A: Substitution requires equivalence in transistor type (NPN), collector current rating (200 mA), breakdown voltage (40 V), power dissipation (625 mW), DC current gain (100 minimum), operating temperature range (-55 to 150°C), and through-hole mounting configuration. Deviations in saturation voltage, transition frequency, or product status indicate partial compatibility requiring application-specific evaluation.

Q: Are there any compliance differences between substitute parts?

A: No. All substitute parts maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status identical to the 2N3904TA. No additional environmental or regulatory qualification is required for substitution within this part family.

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